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This is my first post, I hope it's in the right sub forum! A friend is ready to move up to a Model X, and we are working on a deal for me to purchase it from him. I live in the southeast U.S., the Model S is a 2013 P85 has 32,XXX miles on it, white with tan leather interior, 21'' silver rims, pano, rear facing seats. My friend does not have the additional 4 years of extended warranty, but is willing to purchase it before selling to me.

Here's the sticking point: he wants $67k for it. After looking at the recent CPO prices for similar P85 sales, I think he's about $10k too high, and I would only pay $57k if he also included the additional 4 years of extended warranty.

However, we are good friends, and I don't want to get into too much haggling over price. What is a fair price to ask for? I know he's checked with Tesla about the trade in value, but he has not told me what he was quoted.

I'll be in the same boat with a relative later this year. If I can't get it for trade in value I will probably walk away. Just let your friend know you are going to keep looking.

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I agreed, if he is a good friend, he will sell it to you for trade in value. You can also do a search on Ebay and Hank's CPO site on how much a comparable 2013 P85 sold for and show it to him. Tell him If you buy a CPO, you will have 4 years of warranty.

I mentioned that I found some similar models going for less and he said that his has the Nappa leather and upgraded sound system so it's worth more. I didn't want to argue, but it seems like that would make little difference to me. Would those 2 upgrades with the rear facing seats make for a $10k difference?

To the OP: if I was in your situation, I would ask my friend to get a trade in value in writing from Tesla and then say I will pay $3000 over that. My friend makes an easy $3K and does not have to bother with selling it privately, and I get a good deal. Win/win.

To the OP: if I was in your situation, I would ask my friend to get a trade in value in writing from Tesla and then say I will pay $3000 over that. My friend makes an easy $3K and does not have to bother with selling it privately, and I get a good deal. Win/win.

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Hmmmm...that's a good idea. Might be worth a try.

He's the type of friend that is a friend as much by circumstance as anything. We get along just fine, but I don't think he feels any obligation to not extract as much $$ out of me on this purchase as possible. And unfortunately he knows I REALLY like his car......and he also knows I'm not going to buy a new Model S.

Hmm...sounds like you don't have "a friend" who's selling his Model S; it's more like "you know someone" who is selling their Model S.

That's not the same thing.

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You might have a point there. I guess what I mean is that we aren't close enough that he would give me a $10k discount out of the kindness of his heart. He's treating this as a business deal, and I don't blame him. I just would like to have the proper information to back up my offer, which he will likely see as a low-ball offer.

"I'm sorry, but I do not think we're going to be able to come to terms. Good luck with your sale."

You should be paying less to buy from a friend. You're doing him the favor because he doesn't have to work hard to sell it. Why should you pay more for his car than any other car out there? He's not doing you a favor by selling you the car.

It's usually best not to do business with friends if you want to keep them as friends. Same with family. Just my opinion but I've seen so many deals go sideways and ruin friendships or family relations, that paying a little more to keep friendships/family intact is usually the best the way to go.

Two ways to maybe work this so things stay comfortable between you two. Have him try to sell it privately, craigslist, this forum etc. Once and if someone makes a firm offer he is about to accept you get first right of refusal for pay $1 over. If you refuse then he sells it to the other guy. If you accept then you and he know that was "market price".

Second approach is to allow the market to decide. Have him put it in to Ebay with the reserve or "buy it now" for what he is asking you to pay. If someone bids it up then he get at least that reserve price. If it never reaches his reserve (and it won't...) tell him you'll pay $1 over the high bid. He then either accepts your highest bid+$1 offer or moves on without you being the buyer.

People forget something is worth only as much as what buyers are willing to pay for it. Sellers set prices, buyers establish "worth". Either way, I think this allows the price to be set by the market and neither of you feels taken advantage of.

Sounds like you (as the purchaser) actually have the upper hand in the negotiation. You could purchase a used model S from this very forum, for a fairer price. (there are many used Tesla options). Is there a specific reason why you want 'that' Model S? Browse this for sale subforum, and take a look at Ebay.

we are good friends, and I don't want to get into too much haggling over price. What is a fair price to ask for? I know he's checked with Tesla about the trade in value, but he has not told me what he was quoted.

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Best advice - DON'T BUY A CAR FROM YOUR FRIEND. There are a billion Model S's for sale. You cannot replace your friend. Keep your friendship intact and keep business transactions out of it.

Meta

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